Meet Your Future Colleagues

Rachel Blount

What attracted you to Atmos?I was attracted to Atmos for a number of reasons. One of these was the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects throughout England and Wales and the opportunity to gain experience carrying out different survey methods for a range of species.

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?This was my first full time role after graduating from Bangor University. I started off as a seasonal ecologist, the team were hugely supportive and I quickly found my feet. After my initial contract I was offered a permanent position and have not looked back.

What is a typical day/week like for you?Diverse, to say the least. From report writing, site surveys with focus on ornithology and habitats, to finalising accommodation and transport details for other members of staff as they are out on site. Then there is undertaking ECoW on St Kilda, our most northerly project.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?There isn’t really a typical day/week for an ecologist at Atmos due to the wide range of projects we get to work on. My time is made up of a mix of days (and often nights) out in the field carrying out survey and monitoring work and days spent in the office writing up reports and inputting data.

How do you relax away from work?By curling up on the sofa with a gin and a book. I hate to admit it but I also love watching Gardener’s World on a Friday night too.

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?It’s got to be Anglesey. That was my family's usual holiday destination when I was younger so I have so many great memories of the place.

James Wilson

What attracted you to Atmos?A company with a diverse order book, and project work together with opportunities for career progression. I started out as ecological consultant and have now progressed to senior

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?The staff are friendlier and approachable, even those in the other offices that I haven’t met.

What is a typical day/week like for you?Diverse, to say the least. From report writing, site surveys with focus on ornithology and habitats, to finalising accommodation and transport details for other members of staff as they are out on site. Then there is undertaking ECoW on St Kilda, our most northerly project.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?I always have a feeling that my thoughts, abilities, etc are trusted and respected. That and the ability to get out and about working in a variety of locations on a variety of projects, getting up close to golden eagle, red kite and divers

How do you relax away from work?Reading, playing cricket, spending time with the family.

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?Tough one. Firstly, my honeymoon to Namibia with the highlight being a dawn hot air balloon ride over the Namib desert followed by a champagne breakfast at Sossusvlei. An amazing country, and a fantastic, friendly people. Secondly, the middle of nowhere feel that is St Kilda.

Lauren Kellaway

What attracted you to Atmos?I previously worked for a renewable energy developer and wanted to gain experience in other sectors. Atmos offered me the opportunity to broaden my experience across a range of sectors and variety of scales of projects.

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?The supportive environment and team work. With Atmos everyone makes time for each other to support you as you advance your career.

What is a typical day/week like for you?Variety of project tasks from tendering, writing reports, speaking with public bodies and consultees and reviewing sites.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?Being involved at all stages of a project lifecycle from initial feasibility of sites all the way to post consent. Which you may not experience at larger consultancy practices.

How do you relax away from work?I attempt to be an interior design geek and put this into practice on my house!

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?Either San Diego or Santorini both beautiful for different reasons!

Paul Reid

What attracted you to Atmos? I was looking to work for a small ambitious company where I could grow and Atmos seemed the perfect fit.

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?Definitely the family feel and flexibility. At Atmos, family comes first and this attitude comes from the very top of the company.

What is a typical day/week like for you?The good thing about my role is that there is no typical day or week. It’s one of the things which has kept me at Atmos for over 8 years. One day I could be dealing with an IT project, the next an office move and the day after dealing with a complex HR issue.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?I would say the people, which is a very standard answer but just happens to be true.

How do you relax away from work?Relax probably isn’t the right word as a season ticket holder at Hibs – but I try my best!

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?Definitely the Isle of Skye (minus the long drive!).

Anne Altringham

What attracted you to Atmos?The team were welcoming, the work varied, and the offices is a nice walk from my flat!

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?It’s a very professional yet really relaxed environment. Everyone is committed to delivering excellence for our clients and will genuinely go out of their way to help each other out. It’s one of the most supportive environments I have worked in.

What is a typical day/week like for you?In the GIS team, we’re involved in projects from all over the company and we cover a lot of interesting work. In the morning I might be mapping badger setts on a building site in Wales, and by the afternoon I’m processing LIDAR data for viewshed analysis or creating photomontages of a wind farm development in the north of Scotland.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?The people, without a doubt. Although for a data nerd like me, it doesn’t hurt that the GIS system is so neat and tidy - it gives us real confidence in our data quality and makes life much easier!.

How do you relax away from work?Singing, swimming outdoors, and bookbinding

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?A beach somewhere in North West Scotland. Nowhere does peace and majestic scenery quite like it.

Alex Hatton

What attracted you to Atmos?Atmos is uniquely structured by that I mean I may not get the diversity of project experience in a smaller consultancy, equally I may not get the involvement in developing the business in a larger consultancy!

What separates Atmos from other companies you have worked for?The size- we bring in some very interesting work and really work well across the three offices meaning you always feel like you have support and learn new skills to deliver high quality work.

What is a typical day/week like for you?Being a senior ecologist I do spend a good part of the week in the office writing reports, filling out EPS licence applications, and tendering, but I also get out on site, particularly with the more complex ones, so that I understand the scheme fully.

What is your favourite thing about working for Atmos?The flexibility, I have a young family and there times that balancing work and life can be challenging. Also having access to a shower at the office! It’s a small thing but great to be able to cycle in or go running at lunch time knowing I will not stink the office out in the afternoon!

How do you relax away from work?I enjoy competing in triathlons so I do train a fair bit, it’s a great way to relax the mind.

What’s your favourite place in the world and why?I have not quite finished exploring the world yet to make that decision but I do keep going back to Canada.